Charlie McGuinness among finalists for 2026 WGI Zebbie Awards
Cavan-based writer, actor and director shortlisted.
Cavan-based writer, actor and director Charlie McGuinness has been shortlisted for a 2026 Writers’ Guild of Ireland (WGI) Zebbie Award, recognising the best in Irish writing for stage, screen and audio.
McGuinness is a finalist in the Best Radio/Audio Drama Script category for Fragile Maoilíosa. He will compete against Caitlin Magnall-Kearns, shortlisted for Safe Space, and Peter Dunne, nominated for Spooky FM; Jingle Hells.
The winners will be announced at the 19th annual Zebbie Awards ceremony at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on Thursday, September 3.
The ceremony will once again be hosted by broadcaster, writer and actor Tara Flynn.
Originally from Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim, McGuinness has established himself as a writer, actor and director.
He previously won the RTÉ PJ O’Connor Radio Drama Award in 2024 for his play Clarity at Last.
This year’s Zebbie nominations highlight the breadth and quality of Irish writing across theatre, television, film, radio and audio drama.
Among the other shortlisted writers is Ailbhe Keogan, nominated in the Best TV Drama Script category for Trespasses, Episode 4. She is shortlisted alongside Mary Fox and Marty Thornton for Hidden Assets, Series 3 Episode 1, and Jo Spain for Mix Tape, Episode 1.
The Zebbie Awards celebrate writing across eight categories: Theatre, Television Drama, Continuing Drama, Short Film, Feature Film, Radio & Audio Drama, and Children’s & Young People’s Television.
The WGI says the awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the writers behind Ireland’s success in film, television, theatre, radio and audio drama, while highlighting the central role of the script in every production.
Only WGI members can read the nominated scripts and vote in the member-voted categories.
The awards take their name from O.Z. “Zebby” Whitehead, a Broadway and Hollywood actor who moved to Dublin in 1963 and became a strong supporter of theatre and writing in Ireland.
The Writers’ Guild of Ireland represents Irish writers working across film, television, theatre, radio, animation and games. It campaigns for writers’ rights, fair remuneration, greater control over their work and increased recognition of writers as the creative force at the heart of every production.
Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Ireland, said the awards once again demonstrate the “extraordinary craft and talent” of Irish writers.
“This year’s nominations show the range and quality of writing being created by our members across stage, screen and audio,” she said.
Davidson said recognition of writers was particularly important as the Irish screen industry experiences “record-breaking growth”.
“It is more important than ever that writers are properly recognised and fairly paid for the work that makes that success possible,” she said. “No film, television series, play, audio drama or children’s programme can exist without the script at its heart.”
She added that the Zebbies shine a spotlight on the creative talent behind the stories audiences enjoy and reinforce the need for “fair contracts, fair payment and public recognition for writers” as part of a sustainable future for Irish storytelling.
The 2026 Zebbie Awards are supported by Screen Ireland and the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency.
Full list of nominees
Best Radio/Audio Drama Script
Charlie McGuinness – Fragile Maoilíosa
Caitlin Magnall-Kearns – Safe Space
Peter Dunne – Spooky FM; Jingle Hells
Best TV Drama Script
Ailbhe Keogan – Trespasses, Episode 4
Mary Fox and Marty Thornton – Hidden Assets, Series 3 Episode 1
Jo Spain – Mix Tape, Episode 1